What do cold sores look like?

Recognize a cold sore

A cold sore has a characteristic appearance that makes it easy to identify it early. The first signs are often a tingling or burning sensation around the lips or nose. Then, small fluid-filled blisters develop, typically in clusters. These blisters burst after a few days, forming open sores that later crust over before healing.

The color of the blisters may be clear or slightly yellowish, and the area around them may be red, swollen, and tender. Some people also experience swollen lymph nodes and fever with the initial outbreak. In children, cold sores can be confused with other types of mouth sores, making proper diagnosis important.

The process from the first prick to complete healing typically takes between 7 and 14 days. The scab falls off naturally, and it is not recommended to pick at it, as this can prolong the healing time and increase the risk of scarring. In the case of frequent outbreaks, it may be a good idea to keep an eye on triggering factors such as sun, stress or illness.

It can be difficult to distinguish cold sores from other conditions such as impetigo, bacterial infections or allergic reactions, so in cases of doubt, a medical evaluation may be necessary.

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